Massive cabinet reshuffle on the cards in Pakistan

Islamabad, Aug. 20 (ANI): A massive reshuffle of the Pakistan cabinet is in the offing after President Asif Ali Zardari returns from his four day visit to China beginning tomorrow (August 21).

Sources said many ministers facing corruption charges are likely to be shown the door and replaced with new faces.

Insiders said that the controversial minus one formula, reports of altercation between Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Zardari and the inefficiency of the ministers has forced the government to reshuffle the cabinet.

Sources privy to the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) revealed that the top leaders of the party are busy in evaluating the performance of some of the ministers primarily due to the imminent reshuffle.

Ministers who were most likely to be axed from the cabinet are Minister for Investments Waqar Ahmed Khan, Health Minister Ijaz Khan Jakharani and Minister for Industries Mian Manzoor Wattoo, The Nation reports.

"The criterion for the ministers' performance evaluation was based on the public image, such as corruption allegations, against a particular member of the cabinet," sources added.

They said that apart from the political accountability, the government is also compelled to reshuffle the cabinet following concerns conveyed by the Army about the corruption and political infighting, which according to the armed forces, is affecting the moral of the troops fighting against the extremists. (ANI)